University Communications
Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322

Release date: February 23, 2000
Contact: Deb Hammacher, Assistant Director, 404-727-0644, or dhammac@emory.edu

Wild About Gorillas: March 5 Harmony Concert Marks Release of Conservation Book by Emory Researcher

WHO: HARMONY: Atlanta's International Youth Chorus

WHAT: "Sing Wild," concert of African songs, book release celebration for "Majii and the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda"

WHEN: 5 p.m. Sunday, March 5

WHERE: Glenn Memorial Auditorium, 1652 N. Decatur Rd., Emory.

COST: $8 general admission. For tickets and information about the concert, call 404-727-5050.

For information about the book, call Atilla Alpman at 404-636-5888 or send e-mail to aalpman@fnt-usa.org.

Last fall students at Fernbank Elementary School in DeKalb County joined an innovative conservation effort to help the mountain gorillas of Rwanda. Transforming what they learned about the gorillas' endangered plight, the students completed hundreds of illustrations, some of which now adorn the children's book, "Majii and the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda." The official release of the book will be celebrated at the March 5 concert by HARMONY: Atlanta's International Youth Chorus in residence at Emory University. The books will be available for sale for the first time at the concert. Ambassador Joseph Mutaboba, permanent representative to the United Nations from Rwanda, and a representative from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International will speak at the event.

HARMONY will present a sampler of African songs and songs about animals, including "My Dame Hath a Lame Tame Crane," "Bear Lullaby" and "Father Noah." Joyce Ketchie Carr, HARMONY's music director, has written words for one of the songs in honor of "Majii" and its author, Marc Daniel Gutekunst, a research associate with Emory's Institute of African Studies.

Gutekunst's book grew out of his research as an international health expert in his native Rwanda, where he saw years of war threaten the mountain gorillas living there. He believes that successful global conservation education begins at the local level and has therefore involved many organizations in Atlanta, his adopted city, in his efforts. Fernbank students contributed illustrations that are included not only in "Majii" but also will be displayed in Hartsfield International Airport's International Concourse. The book's principal illustrations and cover art were done by Athens, Ga., artist Stan Mullins.

HARMONY will provide visibility to the project through music, and students at Druid Hills High School have recorded the collaborative conservation effort with a video documentary that will be for sale at the concert as well. Endorsed by and benefiting the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the book will aid gorilla preservation efforts by training native Rwandans in conservation and supporting international efforts. "Majii and the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda" is dedicated to the memory of Atlanta's beloved gorilla, Willie B.

The program of "Sing Wild" includes traditional and contemporary African songs and international songs about animals. Selections include English, Latvian, American, Israeli and Swedish songs, plus medleys of songs from various African traditions and countries.

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